The Alpha and The Vigilante novel Chapter 47

"Tonight, Gamma Axel is being punished for his crimes against the Luna, and therefore this pack. It was his responsibility to watch the security cameras that surrounded the prison, and he failed to note my mate exiting the premises, therefore failing me. If anything had happened to my mate, the pack would have crumbled, as the Luna brings the pack dynamic to a balance." Alpha Cain paused, looking around the crowd harshly, daring anyone to speak up. Nobody did.

"Bring him out. It is time to begin," Alpha Cain commanded, his eyes darkening as his wolf gained more control over him, making him look feral.

At his words, two burly men escorted another large man through the crowd. His hands were bound with rope, yet his head was high, looking straight ahead without fear. His green eyes were devoid of emotion, but I was shocked that due to my bond with him as a result of being Claimed by Alpha Cain, I could feel his fear through our bond. I didn't quite understand why a man of his stature was so fearful of a few whippings. He stood broad and muscular, though not as much as my mate, and I was positive that he should be able to take 20 lashings and only be a little sore the next day. I wondered why everyone was making this such a big deal.

"Kneel," Alpha Cain ordered to the Gamma, his voice thick with dominance. "Do you understand why you are being punished?"

The Gamma knelt, and barred his neck in submission. "Yes, Alpha." His voice was cool, despite the anxiety I felt through the Luna bond with him.

"The punishment will be 20 lashes, or until you pass out, as is the standard punishment for misdemeanors. Make no mistake though, the next time you fail to protect the Luna, you will pay for it with your life," Alpha Cain snarled the last few words, and I was shocked by how he thought putting me in the jail cell was somehow a method of protecting me.

"We will now begin. Before we start, I have to ask per Blood Law requirements, is there anyone willing to take Gamma Axel's punishment for him?" Alpha Cain asked, clearly not intending anyone to offer. The sickened look on their faces said everything they needed to.

I didn't hesitate. I will, I quickly spoke through the entire pack's link, so they all knew what was happening.

I heard many gasps throughout the crowd, but other than that, the air hung silent. Alpha Cain glared down at me, his hold tightening around my body. "The Gamma is being punished for crimes against you. I will not allow for you to take his place."

I met his gaze defiantly. He is being punished because I escaped from a cell that you put me into. Your grievance should be with me, not him. I am taking his place for the punishment. You said that according to the Blood Laws, someone could take his place for him.

Alpha Cain set me on the ground on my pelt, and he moved to unbind the Gamma's restrained wrists. The Alpha used the rope to tie my wrists together tightly, and jerked me off of the ground and onto my feet facing the crowd, standing on the pelt.

"Remove your cloak and shirt," Alpha Cain commanded, his voice absent of emotion, only fueled by aggression and dominance.

I slowly removed the cloak, wincing when many of the pack members got a better look at some of my scars. I took off my shirt, leaving me in only a sports bra and leggings. I heard gasps as the pack saw the true extent of the marks that littered my body. Bite marks, indentations from where chunks of flesh had been ripped out, whip marks from different times I had been tortured, claw marks, and of course scars from being slashed with different weapons. I fearlessly made eye contact with many of them, not wanting to show any fear or weakness. Most looked sympathetic, but all looked horrified, borderline disgusted.

"Alpha, you can't let her take my punishment! For fuck's sake, look at her body. She looks like she's taken enough beatings to last a lifetime," Gamma Axel's voice cried out.